Trait |
Wolf |
Dog |
|
General activity level |
High, especially if high ranking |
Great breed variation-hypoactive or hyperactive |
|
Neophobia |
Common, usually low habituation |
Rare, high tolerance and habituation |
|
Secondary socialization |
Limited |
Enhanced in most breeds except guard dogs |
|
Dependence / trainability |
Minimal |
Enhanced in most breeds |
|
Vocalizations |
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Group howling |
Common, social activity |
Similar, but includes barks & yelps |
|
Barking |
Rare, threat only |
Common in many contexts |
|
Displays & action patterns |
Complex & variable repertoire |
Basically similar to wolf |
|
Face-lick greeting |
Common, but low frequency |
Higher frequency, especially in toy breeds |
|
Sequences of behavior, e.g. Hunting-tracking, herding, stalking, killing & retrieving |
Social cooperation & hunting strategy, flexible senses |
Inhibited or truncated sequences in "specialist" breeds, specialized use of senses in some breeds |
|
Pack behavior |
Intense |
Variable |
|
Sexual behavior |
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Maturation |
2 years |
6-9 months |
|
Female season |
One annual estrus |
Two estrus cycles per year |
|
Male season |
Seasonal |
Constant |
|
Maternal / Paternal behavior |
Male & female regurgitate for pups |
Variable, often absent especially in males |
|
Major physical characteristics |
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Teeth |
Jaw pressure ~1200 psi |
Jaw pressure ~700 psi |
|
Coat color |
Usually adaptively cryptic & unbroken |
Great variation in color & texture |
|
Supracaudal tail gland |
Present |
Inactive except in "wolflike" breeds |
|
Brain size (relative to body proportion) |
Reduced up to 30% |
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